Traveling jack assembly

ABSTRACT

A traveling jack assembly comprising a movable jack carriage support frame mounted above a support base of similar size and configuration with an intermediate roller assembly therebetween, such that longitudinal movement of the roller assembly through a distance on the support base produces twice the longitudinal movement of the jack carriage. The roller assembly is manipulated by way of a pair of cables or belts extending through openings in each end wall of the jack carriage, and the jack carriage is provided with a downwardly extending interlock, or connecting frame, having a pair of wheels which engage a guide channel in the support base.

United States Paten 91 Patchen et al.

[54] TRAVELING JACK ASSEMBLY [76] Inventors: Thomas N. Patchen, 325 Carolyn Street, Auburn, Calif. 95603; Roy R. Patchen, 3742 Ardley Avenue, Oakland, Calif. 94602 22 Filed: July 19, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 163,718

[ 1 May 22, 1973 Primary Examiner0thell M. Simpson Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A traveling jack assembly comprising a movable jack carriage support frame mounted above a support base of similar size and configuration with an intermediate roller assembly therebetween, such that longitudinal movement of the roller assembly through a distance on the support base produces twice the longitudinal movement of the jack carriage. The roller assembly is manipulated by way of a pair of cables or belts extending through openings in each end wall of the jack carriage, and the jack carriage is provided with a downwardly extending interlock, or connecting frame, having a pair of wheels which engage a guide channel in the support base. 1

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SHEET 2 [1F 2 Thames N. Para/ W R Paicfien INVENTORS TRAVELING JACK ASSEMBLY The present invention is generally related to a jack assemblage, and more particularly, to traveling jack assemblies which may be used to provide linear movement over a short distance of relatively heavy loads, such as mobile home sections and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile traveling jack assembly which is comprised of top and bottom support frameworks with an intermediate roller assembly therebetween to affect movement of the top framework through controlled movement of the roller assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel traveling jack assembly for linear movement of loads over relatively short distances to aid in the assembly of mobile home sections and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a unique traveling jack assembly comprised of a minimum number of moving parts, and which is long lasting, durable, and able to handle large loads, yet is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the traveling jack assembly of the present invention with a partial phantom view of a typical load.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the traveling jack assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along section 33 of FIG. 1 and with phantom views of the carriage in the extreme right and left positions.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along section 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the jack assembly of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10, and includes a lower support base 12, ajack carriage support frame 14, and an intermediate roller assembly 16 mounted therebetween. A conventional jack mechanism 18 is fastened to jack carriage frame 14 by way of a mounting plate 20, which is welded, or otherwise fastened, to the carriage frame. The carriage frame 14 is provided with a pair of opposite end walls 22, each of which has a pair of openings 24 with positioning cables or belts 26 passing therethrough.

Support base 12 is preferably of welded construction, and includes a pair of parallel elongated outer support brackets 28, each having a relatively flat upper support surface 30 adapted to engage a pair of rollers, as hereinafter explained. A center support bracket 32 is provided between the outer support brackets 28, and includes an elongated guide slot 34 separating a pair of support surfaces 36 and terminating in an enlarged channel opening 38, the purpose of which is hereinafter explained.

Roller assembly 16 is comprised of a relatively rigid frame 40 which is generally rectangular in shape and which rotatably supports a pair of elongated rollers 42. Each roller may be provided with a radially extending alignment collar 44 at or near its center position, each of which is adapted to engage guide slot 34 in support base 12.

Jack carriage 14 is of generally the same size and configuration as support base 12, but includes a downwardly extending interlock or connecting plate 46 supporting a pair of transversely extending guide wheels 48. The composite dimensions of guide wheels 48 are less than channel entrance opening 38, such that they may be inserted therethrough for movement in the channel defined by center support bracket 32. Also, interlock plate 46 is slightly smaller than the width of guide slot 34, such that it is free to slide therein, as hereinafter explained.

Referring, now, to FIGS. 3 and 4, longitudinal movement of the jack carriage is more clearly illustrated. It can be seen that belts or cables 26 extend through openings 24 in the end walls of the jack carriage and extend around the rollers 42 and are fastened at their support base 12, as indicated at 52. The structural arrangement is such that pulling of the belts or cables 26 at one end of the jack assembly will impart movement to the roller assembly by affecting rotation of each roller. Rotation of the rollers, in turn, imparts a corresponding longitudinal movement of the jack carriage framework. Thus, it can be seen that the jack carriage framework is moved a longitudinal distance approximately twice that of the roller assembly.

It will be appreciated that the cables or belts 26 may be fastened at some exterior location for locking the assembly in position. Also, it should be noted that by providing an assembly of greater length, the distance of travel permitted is likewise increased. Also, when desired a plurality of jack mechanisms may be mounted to the carriage framework. Furthermore, the number of rollers may be increased where necessary in handling unusually heavy loads.

It will be appreciated that the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be utilized for the movement and alignment of mobile home sections and the like. The operation of the assembly would be as follows: The entire assembly is inserted under the load, such as a mobile home section, with the jack carriage framework in approximately the center position, as shown in FIG. 3 and with the jack mechanism in the lowered position. After insertion under the load, the jack mechanism is operated to lift the load the desired distance. The load is then moved to the right or left by control of the cables or belts 26 until it reaches the desired position, at which the jack mechanism is lowered to rest the load on mounting blocks, or the like. When required, several traveling jack assemblies may be operated in unison, such as one at each end of a mobile home section, to achieve the desired positioning.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A traveling jack assembly comprising carriage means for supporting a load-carrying jack, means associated with said carriage means for selective movement of said carriage means in the longitudinal direction, and a roller assembly including at least one transversely extending roller upon which said carriage means rests, said movement means including at least one flexible member in frictional engagement with said roller at least partially around the circumference thereof, movement of said flexible member imparting corresponding movement to said roller and saidcarriage means.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said movement means includes a support base supporting said roller, one end of said flexible member being fastened to said support base such that pulling on the pposite end will impart movement to said roller.

3. A traveling jack assembly comprising carriage means for supporting a load-carrying jack, means associated with said carriage means for selective movement of said carriage means in the longitudinal direction, and a roller assembly including at least one transversely extending roller upon which said carriage means rests, said movement means including an elongated support base with relatively flat support surfaces upon which said roller rests and moves, said support base including a guide channel defined by an elongated support bracket, an elongated guide slot overlying said guide channel, said carriage means including interlock means extending through said guide slot and into said channel to prevent vertical and transverse movement of said carriage means relative to said support base.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said guide slot terminates at one end thereof in an enlarged channel entrance opening of dimensions slightly greater than said interlock means to permit easy insertion of said interlock means into said guide channelv 5. The structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said interlock means includes a plate member extending downwardly from said carriage means through said guide slot and at least one guide wheel extending outwardly from said plate member and transversely of said guide slot.

6. The structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said roller includes a radially extending alignment collar part of which extends into said guide slot for guiding said roller during longitudinal movement of said carriage means.

7. The structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said roller assembly includes a pair of transversely extending rollers rotatably mounted to a rigid frame and longitudinally spaced from each other with a separate flexi ble member circumferentially engaging each roller such that longitudinal movement may be affected in either direction.

8. A traveling jack assembly comprising an elongated support base, a roller assembly including a pair of parallel transversely extending rotatably mounted rollers resting on said support base, an elongated carriage frame resting on said pair of rollers for longitudinal movement thereon, and means for selectively producing longitudinal movement of said roller assembly and said carriage frame relative to said support base, said movement means including first and second flexible members circumferentially and frictionally engaging the surfaces of each of said pair of rollers respectively, one end of each flexible member being attached to said support base, the opposite end of each flexible member extending beyond said carriage frame for selective manipulation thereof to affect movement of said carriage frame.

9. The structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein said rollers are each rotatably mounted to a common rigid frame such longitudinal movement of one roller is positively transmitted to the other through said rigid frame.

10. The structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein said support base includes an elongated support bracket with a first longitudinally extending guide slot, each of said rollers including a radially extending alignment collar seated in said guide slot.

11. The structure as set forth in claim 10 wherein said carriage frame includes a second longitudinal guide slot substantially parallel to said first guide slot and receiving said roller alignment collars.

12. The structure as set forth in claim 11 together with interlock means extending between said carriage frame and said support base and extending through one of said guide slots for preventing transverse and vertical movement between said carriage frame and said support base; 

1. A traveling jack assembly comprising carriage means for supporting a load-carrying jack, means associated with said carriage means for selective movement of said carriage means in the longitudinal direction, and a roller assembly including at least one transversely extending roller upon which said carriage means rests, said movement means including at least one flexible member in frictional engagement with said roller at least partiAlly around the circumference thereof, movement of said flexible member imparting corresponding movement to said roller and said carriage means.
 2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said movement means includes a support base supporting said roller, one end of said flexible member being fastened to said support base such that pulling on the opposite end will impart movement to said roller.
 3. A traveling jack assembly comprising carriage means for supporting a load-carrying jack, means associated with said carriage means for selective movement of said carriage means in the longitudinal direction, and a roller assembly including at least one transversely extending roller upon which said carriage means rests, said movement means including an elongated support base with relatively flat support surfaces upon which said roller rests and moves, said support base including a guide channel defined by an elongated support bracket, an elongated guide slot overlying said guide channel, said carriage means including interlock means extending through said guide slot and into said channel to prevent vertical and transverse movement of said carriage means relative to said support base.
 4. The structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said guide slot terminates at one end thereof in an enlarged channel entrance opening of dimensions slightly greater than said interlock means to permit easy insertion of said interlock means into said guide channel.
 5. The structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said interlock means includes a plate member extending downwardly from said carriage means through said guide slot and at least one guide wheel extending outwardly from said plate member and transversely of said guide slot.
 6. The structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said roller includes a radially extending alignment collar part of which extends into said guide slot for guiding said roller during longitudinal movement of said carriage means.
 7. The structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said roller assembly includes a pair of transversely extending rollers rotatably mounted to a rigid frame and longitudinally spaced from each other with a separate flexible member circumferentially engaging each roller such that longitudinal movement may be affected in either direction.
 8. A traveling jack assembly comprising an elongated support base, a roller assembly including a pair of parallel transversely extending rotatably mounted rollers resting on said support base, an elongated carriage frame resting on said pair of rollers for longitudinal movement thereon, and means for selectively producing longitudinal movement of said roller assembly and said carriage frame relative to said support base, said movement means including first and second flexible members circumferentially and frictionally engaging the surfaces of each of said pair of rollers respectively, one end of each flexible member being attached to said support base, the opposite end of each flexible member extending beyond said carriage frame for selective manipulation thereof to affect movement of said carriage frame.
 9. The structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein said rollers are each rotatably mounted to a common rigid frame such longitudinal movement of one roller is positively transmitted to the other through said rigid frame.
 10. The structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein said support base includes an elongated support bracket with a first longitudinally extending guide slot, each of said rollers including a radially extending alignment collar seated in said guide slot.
 11. The structure as set forth in claim 10 wherein said carriage frame includes a second longitudinal guide slot substantially parallel to said first guide slot and receiving said roller alignment collars.
 12. The structure as set forth in claim 11 together with interlock means extending between said carriage frame and said support base and extending through one of said guide slots for preventing transverse and vertical Movement between said carriage frame and said support base. 